Office 365

[frase]

I have a client that wants the following -

Access PC anywhere - (I suppose a VPN would suffice?)
Office 365 (What is the general 365 for a Business - only 3 devices)
Cloud based backup (Was looking at Acronis - looked ok to me)

Thanks

 

[Sky-Knight]

All three objectives need an alignment.

Why does the client want to access his or her PC from anywhere? Are there line of business applications?

I ask because if it's just files, M365 does that via One Drive. No VPN needed, just a portable device that can run OneDrive, and perhaps other M365 apps.

The M365 subscription itself also needs more detail. Microsoft 365 Business Standard is where I'd start, but that's hosted Exchange, One Drive, and on premise apps. Are they going whole hog or just apps / OneDrive?

All of the above can be backed up via Datto for $30 / month (up to 10 users)... so putting the data into the cloud to start, also grants different options for the "cloud backup".

So again... alignment...

 

[frase]

I am confused as you are atm. The text was brief, so am meeting with the Business tomorrow. Though from what I understand they want remote access to PC fully - so wouldn't a RDP be enough?

 

[Sky-Knight]

Depends... I don't like having RDP exposed without a VPN, unless there's an MFA bolt on in the mix. Duo in particular... Single factor means one lost login and crypto'd.

If there is no local domain controller, nor a VPN capable firewall, then I grant access via my RMM tools as renting those out is cheaper than the VPN appliance.

But again, all of that depends on a ton of factors. I find tiny offices like that are desperately trying to work from home, and that can more often than not be accomplished with creative use of M365 services. QB Databases sync over One Drive just fine when there's only one person using them. You can simply store them in that user's documents folder or something and let One Drive take it for a ride... then replicate it all off with Datto or something similar.

I also don't let users skip using MFA, because that's a thing too.

 

[callthatgirl]

Access PC anywhere - (I suppose a VPN would suffice?) Splashtop
Office 365 (What is the general 365 for a Business - only 3 devices) Ok? Not sure what the question is?
Cloud based backup (Was looking at Acronis - looked ok to me) Carbonite

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

We like splashtop for remote access...

....but....for 365...which version..depends on what your client has for needs. Sometimes biz versions aren't enough.
O365 has changed to M365 now.

And...not sure why they need to remote desktop, as, perhaps the storage/sync features of 365 (OneDrive, Teams/SP)..may accomplish what the end user needs. Unless they want to remote in and run some app on their office/home computer.

For backup..."backup what?" Hard to answer without knowing the need. We backup our 365 data via Datto SaaS. But I really don't need to backup my laptop. I can light it on fire, go out and buy another laptop....quickly get it setup, log into my 365 account..and within a few clicks and syncs BOOM all my data is back! I don't need to backup any of my 3 computers. Google Sync handles my browser faves/creds, and 365 handles all my other data.

 

[frase]

Thankyou all, going to go with what CallThatGirl suggested.